NFL Retirees Urged to Sign Up for Settlement

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Latest on a hearing about the NFL concussion settlement

A federal judge in Philadelphia is urging NFL retirees to register for a concussion settlement that could cost the league $1 billion over 65 years.

About 22,000 retirees are encouraged to get baseline neurological testing. The league expects more than 6,000 of them to eventually be diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

The settlement offers them treatment and possibly damage awards. The awards can reach several million dollars for younger men with the most severe neurological damage. The average award is expected to be about $190,000 for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or moderate dementia. The awards do not cover depression or mood disorders.

Participants must register for the settlement by Aug. 7. The settlement approved by Senor U.S. District Judge Anita Brody resolves thousands of lawsuits that accused the NFL of hiding what it knew about concussion risks.

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A federal judge in Philadelphia will live-stream a hearing Wednesday in the NFL concussion case so retired players can learn what's ahead as the estimated $1 billion settlement rolls out this year.

The NFL this week is moving the first $65 million in payments into trust funds to cover injury claims, baseline testing and education. The league must pay another $120 million into the injury fund over the next six months.

The 65-year settlement program covers players who retired from the league by Jan. 7, 2014. The NFL's payouts and legal fees could top $1 billion.

The average payment is expected to be about $190,000 for men with Alzheimer's disease or moderate dementia.